5 Tips For Helping Kids Through Your Divorce

Posted By Haddad Law Office, P.C. || 29-Oct-2015

1. Be Open and Honest With Your Children

Children are more perceptive than many parents think, and they almost always
know that something is amiss. It’s critical to explain the situation
to your children in terms they can understand. One helpful tip is to read
an age-appropriate book about divorce with your child.

2. Don’t Use Your Kids as Spies

While it can be tempting to try to get information about your (ex) spouse
from your kids, this can lead to serious trust issues and can cause them
to become withdrawn and antisocial. It’s important to allow them
to enjoy spending time with either parent without feeling guilty or uncomfortable.

3. Seek Professional Counseling

You shouldn’t use your kids as spies, and you also shouldn’t
use them as therapists. Children have a hard enough time grasping the
concept of a divorce; they are simply not equipped to handle your emotional
burden as well. For anyone getting divorced, talking to a therapist or
counselor is a great way to help you deal with the emotions which run
high in this process.

4. Encourage Them to Share Their Feelings

Children are going to have a lot of emotions during this process, including
many that they might not understand or be able to put into words. Again,
reading an age-appropriate divorce book with your child can help them
find words for questions they have, and gives you the opportunity help
them deal with their feelings.

5. Try to Keep Things as Normal as Possible

While this is easier said than done, it’s critical to keep things
as normal as possible during the divorce. Children thrive on consistent
structure, so even little things like eating dinner at a consistent time
can help them feel that everything is going to be okay.